Neath Canal Navigation Company

Accounts; correspondence; legal papers; deeds and leases; minutes; maps and plans;

The Company of Proprietors of the Neath Canal Navigation, the original company set up in 1791 to build the canal, is still in existence today and still owns the greater length of the canal, some small sections of the canal have been sold off, but the right of navigation over the complete line still exists. The Neath Canal Navigation Company was able to continue trading over this long period of time due to the fact that since 1865 they have profitably sold water to local industry and in latter years only maintained the canal as a water channel. The last major extractor of water from the canal, BP Baglan Bay, has ceased manufacturing operations in this area and revenue from water sales has now ended. The future of the canals in the Vale of Neath is mainly in the recreational field with possibly small quantities of water being sold to future industrial enterprises. The major shareholder in the Neath Canal Navigation Company at present is BP Chemicals and as they have no ongoing interest in the area, are seeking a body to which they could transfer their shares in the company.

No restrictions

A hard copy is available at the West Glamorgan Archive Service

Usual copyright regulations apply.

All records received by the West Glamorgan Archive Service have been retained

Accruals are not expected.